Early Cape houses of Wells, Maine

In the 1970s the town conducted a detailed street survey, in which 19 historically significant 18th-century Cape houses were identified either in or just outside the municipal boundaries.

Wells was settled in the 1640s, and was from its earliest days a primarily agrarian settlement, while neighboring York and Kennebunkport developed economically around fishing, lumber, and seagoing merchant activity.

The entire southern Maine area, with only a small population, was devastated in repeated conflicts between the British colonies of New England and New France, and was effectively abandoned after repeated raids involving the French and their Native American allies in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

The buildings listed here are typified by having a main block that is a wood-frame structure 1+1⁄2 stories in height, with a front facade five bays wide and a side-gable roof.

Additions typically extend the house to the side or rear, and range in age from the 18th to the 20th century.